Title
Resolution to Approve New Election Inspector Pay Scales
Memorandum
The attached resolution proposes to raise the various rates of election inspectors' pay by about $2.00 per hour. By City Charter (Section 13.7), City Council must set election personnel pay rates and the last time it did so was 2016.
In 2012, Ann Arbor raised its election inspector pay rates for the first time in many years, and at that time, we were among the lowest paying in the County for election inspectors. In 2016, Ann Arbor rates had again fallen below the average for Washtenaw County and were raised by about $2.00/hour at that time to remain competitive for recruitment for the Presidential Election. The City Clerk's Office is requesting that City Council approve a similar pay increase for the 2018 General Election to allow Ann Arbor to continue to be competitive in election inspector recruitment across Washtenaw County. By law, election inspectors can be appointed to work the polls in any precinct in the State, with the only requirement being that they are a registered voter in Michigan. Competition between the City and neighboring townships in busy elections has meant the loss of some Ann Arbor poll workers to other jurisdictions, due to compensation. For example, Pittsfield Township, one of the highest paying in the County offers $14.00 for inspectors and $17.00 per hour for chairpersons, compared to $11.00 per hour for inspectors and $15.00 per hour for chairs in Ann Arbor. Manchester Township pays between $16.00 and $20.00 per hour. Scio Township pays between $12.00 and $15.00 per hour. Ypsilanti Township pays between $12.00 and $17.00 per hour, and is working towards raising their election inspectors to $13.00 per hour this year. In addition, many of the smaller townships in the County provide meals on election days, which is not a practical option in Ann Arbor.
An election inspector must report for work at 6:00 a.m. and the typical Election Day is about 16 hours long. Due ...
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